The 11th Annual Blackbird Film Festival returns to Cortland, New York for a weekend full of films, workshops, parties, and more!

Schedule

Friday, April 25, 2025

Filmmaker Check In

2:30 - 3 PM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Grab your FREE popcorn and settle in for a full weekend of films, festivities, and fun with a welcome from festival staff!

Rising Stars

3 - 5 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

A creative mix of films made by students and young filmmakers who are destined for greatness!

Welcome Reception

5 - 6 PM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Join Blackbird and the Cortland Media Production students for appetizers and cash bar!

Friday Night Feels

6 - 8 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

Time to sit back, relax and enjoy a wonderful evening of films that will make you feel all the feels on this Friday night!

2025 KickOff Party

8:30 - 11 PM @ BRU64

Join Blackbird at BRU64 for our 2025 KickOff Party and get pumped for a weekend full of new experiences!

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Mentorship Meetup

9 - 10 AM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Breakfast is served for filmmakers interested in sharing more about their creative journey with our media production students!

Inclusive Filmmaking

10 - 11 AM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Filmmaker and Disability Activist Carl Hansen discusses the many ways to make our films more accessible.

Tech Support

11:30 AM - 1 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

New Technology and AI systems cause some issues in this science fiction block of shorts!

Film Trivia

1:30 - 3 PM @ Hollywood Restaurant

Test your movie knowledge at The Hollywood Restaurant with some Film Trivia - full lunch menu available for purchase.

World's Collide

3:30 - 5 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

Happenstance, Chance, and Fate play a role in this collection of shorts in which our characters find themselves crashing into each other!

Body, Choice, Voice

5:30 - 7:30 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

This powerful block of films confronts issues of body autonomy and a woman's right to choose. TRIGGER WARNING.

Under Your Skin

10 - 11:30 PM @ AKE Gallery

Blood, Bugs, and a Mime... This collection of dark and twisted films will surely make squirm in your seat!

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Connecting Through Creativity

10 - 11 AM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Samantha Artese leads this interactive workshop geared toward exploring the relationship between creativity, connection and healing.

Inherited Scars

11:30 AM - 1 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

A collection of films focused on the generational pain we carry and attempt to overcome.

Tacos & Tablereads

1:30 - 3 PM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Join Blackbird and the FilmQuill for a Screenplay Tableread session with local actors and tacos!

The End is Near

3:30 - 5 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

The apocalypse has arrived in this mix of films spanning drama, comedy, and science fiction as characters confront the end of the world!

Love Thyself

5:30 - 7 PM @ Brown Auditorium Theater

This lovely selection of films reminds us to accept who we are and love that person inside!

Red Carpet Reception

7 - 8 PM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Red Carpet Reception to celebrate the 2025 Blackbird Film Festival with style alongside appetizers and a cash bar!

2025 Award Ceremony

8 - 8:30 PM @ SUNY Cortland - Old Main

Blackbird announces the 2025 Festival Award Winners as well as the Audience Choice Awards!

Cost: Free and Open to Everyone!!!

Date: April 25 - 27, 2025

Location: SUNY Cortland's Brown Auditorium Theater

22 Graham Ave, Cortland, NY 13045

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